The university and the company are partnering to join the Energy Star Change a Light, Change the World Campaign, a movement to encourage people to help make a difference one energy-saving step at a time.

The nationwide campaign aims to build community, save energy, and help fight global warming through the use of energy-efficient lighting technology.

During October, campus representatives will distribute up to 5,000 compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) donated by PG&E to the campus community. The giveaway is being conducted by the Green Campus Program, which is made up of four student interns (Francesca Benedetti, Rachel Shiozaki, Katie Landeros and David Chang), in coordination with UCSC.

The giveaway is a good awareness-builder, said Patrick Testoni, Physical Plant energy manager.

"The fact PG&E is giving them away for free will have a big impact," he said.

Testoni estimated the 5,000 CFLs given away on campus would prevent 200,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere per year, the equivalent of taking 17 vehicles off the road.

The CFLs being handed out are certified by Energy Star, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy joint program, last 6-10 times longer than regular incandescent lightbulbs, use 75 percent less energy than ordinary bulbs, and individually can prevent more than 400 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over their lifetime.